IKV Chairman, Ayhan Zeytinoğlu, assessed the Brexit vote in the House of Commons and the 2018 Turkey Report adopted by the European Parliament on 13 March 2019.

IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu stated that on 13 March Europe’s agenda was focused on the two Parliaments. He indicated that while the House of Commons' rejection of a no-deal Brexit was a positive outcome, the EP’s adoption of the report calling for suspension of Turkey’s EU accession negotiations was an unfortunate development. IKV Chairman continued as follows:

“This week has been of vital importance for both the EU’s future and Turkey-EU relations. This week has been decisive for the Brexit process, as critical votes have been carried out in the UK Parliament for three consecutive days. Besides, the Turkey Report, the first draft of which was published in November 2018, has been approved with 370 votes against 109 at the EP plenary. Furthermore, the highest decision-making body established by the Ankara Agreement, the Turkey-EU Association Council, will convene on 15 March in Brussels after a four-year hiatus.

In the Brexit process, the refusal of the agreement negotiated between Theresa May and the EU has strengthened the possibility of UK’s leaving without an agreement. However, the fact that British MPs refused a no-deal Brexit in all circumstances on Wednesday has increased the pressure on the government to find a solution. Although the agreement is not binding, it is crucial to have the support of different political parties and the older members of Parliament. Looking at the results of today's vote, it is possible to predict that the UK will not leave the EU on 29 March, and the process will be postponed. What is essential here is the government's plan to persuade the EU. A possible postponement will extend the process until 22 May. In the meantime, an agreement, an early election or a second referendum on the basis of a customs union or the European Economic Area model, proposed by the Labor Party might be put on the agenda.”

"We Should Not Play Into the Hands of Anti-Turkey Circles"

IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu also assessed EP’s adoption of the report calling for a suspension of accession talks with Turkey:

“I consider the report’s recommendation for the suspension of Turkey’s accession talks as an extremely unfortunate proposal. The accession negotiations are already frozen. Since 2016, new chapters cannot be opened, and as a result of the decision taken in 2006, no chapter can be closed even temporarily. In the face of such a situation, to propose a formal suspension of the negotiations is neither a constructive nor a logical solution. The answer is not to block completely an unfinished process, but on the contrary to look for every possible way to strengthen the dialogue between the parties.  Even though the report also makes positive recommendations on the modernisation of the customs union and visa liberalisation, unfortunately the call for a suspension of the talks remains as the predominant and wrong approach in the report.”

Reminding that the report’s adoption does not imply a suspension of Turkey’s EU accession talks, IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu made the following remarks:

“The report is only advisory in nature to the Council and the Member States, which are the main decision-makers on the issue. In order to suspend negotiations with Turkey, the Member States would need to decide by a qualified majority, which is a highly unlikely scenario in the current context. However, Turkey should stick to its accession bid and strengthen political reforms, as the populists and the extreme right are expected to obtain more seats at the incoming EP. Furthermore, the European Commission which has had a relatively moderate stance regarding relations with Turkey will be renewed; we will have a new President of the European Commission and a new College of Commissioners. One of the strongest candidates for the European Commission presidency is European People's Party’s candidate Manfred Weber who has already promised a halt to Turkey’s EU accession process; meaning that things could get more difficult [after the EP elections]. Against this background, Turkey should avoid playing into the hands of anti-Turkey circles and continue its policies aimed at EU membership and steadily implement the reforms which are also beneficial for Turkey.”